Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Tuesday announced a steep increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for sugarcane for the current crushing season.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Tuesday announced a steep increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for sugarcane for the current crushing season.

After the 20% MSP hike, sugarcane farmers will now get Rs 40 more for every quintal of crop sold in the state.

Announcing the cabinet decision, Mayawati said the government had taken the decision in the interest of the 40 lakh farmers in the state.

Sugarcane farmers will now get Rs 250, Rs 240 and Rs 235 per quintal for three categories of sugarcane in the state.

In Punjab, the same categories cost Rs 230, Rs 225 and Rs 220.

The CM said since the party came to power in 2007, the support prices had gone up by 65%.

Attacking the Congress-led UPA government for announcing R145 per quintal fair and remunerative price (FRP) for the current year, Mayawati said FRP was not only inadequate but it also indicated the central government’s apathy and insensitivity towards farmers.

As against the last year’s sugarcane production of 1,050 lakh tonnes, the output is likely to be around 1,200 lakh tonnes in 2011-12. Similarly, sugar production would go up from 58.7 lakh tonnes in 2010-11 to 62 lakh tonnes in 2011-12.